Earlier today, Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft came tantalizingly close toRyugu, offering an unprecedented view of the asteroid’s boulder-strewn surface. Two weeks ago, Hayabusa2 came to within six kilometers (3.7 miles) of Ryugu, but today’s descent, the third of the mission, saw Hayabusa2 come to within 851 meters (2,800 feet) of the asteroid, making it the closest encounter to date.